What does pedaling 300-kilometers over three 10,000-foot Himalayan passes, through lush Bhutanese valleys sprinkled with prayer flags and ancient monasteries have to do with climate change?

A group of Bhutanese and American youth want to tell you…right after they catch their breath!

Bhutan Cycle to the Summit is their story- a fifteen-minute film illustrating that the health of our planet is in the hands of our youth. In July 2011, twenty cyclists, many who had never pedaled a bicycle, set out on a two-week journey across the extreme yet stunning landscape of Bhutan. Their goal? To explore first-hand perspectives on climate change as told to them by people on the ground-- the farmers, monks, foresters, and conservationists who make Bhutan’s commitment to carbon neutrality and gross national happiness a reality.

With the cameras rolling in pace to that of the red jersey riders, we captured the exciting and challenging moments that bring this cross-cultural expedition to life. Equally as powerful are the voices of students, who shared their internal journey through weblogs, photographs, and videos. Bhutan Cycle to the Summit weaves these ‘live voices’ into the fabric of the film alongside the groups’ dynamic relationships with each other and the landscape, people, and culture of Bhutan.

As the riders’ pave a road map for their own future, their story not only reveals the power of the youth voice in advocating for climate change, but also inspires others to contribute to climate change efforts in their own community and across the globe.